Waveplates

STA Series Waveplates

1. Crystalline Quartz Waveplates

Features

• High extinction ratio
• Wide wavelength range
• Low transmitted wavefront distortion
• High LIDT

Crystalline quartz waveplates are made from materials that have a birefringence property. Most common types are designed so that an ordinary ray will exhibit a half (λ/2) or quarter (λ/4) wave retardation with respect to an extraordinary ray. Such waveplates are used to rotate the plane of polarization, converting a linear polarization to a circular one and vice versa. Such elements are used for electro-optic modulations and as a variable ratio beam splitter when used in conjunction with a polarization cube. Although the latter two types of waveplates are the most common, we also offer custom retardation values on request.

One of the most common arrangements of the waveplates is the zero order (ZO) air-spaced version. These waveplates are built of two crystalline quartz plates with specific thicknesses and crossed axes, which results in a zero order performance. This arrangement allows us to reach a better performance for a wider wavelength range and is less sensitive to temperature changes when compared with low order (LO) waveplates. High purity crystalline quartz materials and precise parallelism between the two air-spaced plates allows the transmitted wavefront distortion to be better than λ/10 at 632.8 nm.

Zero Order Crystalline Quartz Waveplates (air-spaced)

Typical Items Ø12.7 x 6 mm

Typical Items Ø25.4 x 6 mm

* Customized solutions are available on request.

2. High Energy Waveplates

We provide standard (air-spaced) and high power (optically bonded) wave plates. They are made from materials that has a birefringence property. Most common types are designed so ordinary ray would exhibit half (λ/2) or quarter (λ/4) wave retardation with respect to an extraordinary one. Such wave plates are used to rotate the plane of polarization, convert linear polarization to circular and vice versa. Such elements are used for electro-optic modulation and as a variable ratio beam splitter, when used in conjunction with a polarization cube. Although latter two types of wave plates are the most common, we offer custom retardation values on request.

Features

• High extinction ratio
• Wide acceptance angle
• Wide temperature bandwidth
• Exceptional durability in UV applications
• Wide wavelength range available

* Customized solutions are available on request.

3. S-waveplates (Radial Polarization Converters)

S-waveplate is a space-variant retarder that converts linear polarization to radial or azimuthal polarization. The product is unique for its high damage threshold, which exceeds that of alternative devices by 100 times. Unique results are achieved through the formation of subwavelength nanogratings inside fused silica glass. The enabling technology was developed by Prof. Peter G. Kazansky’s group in the Optoelectronics Research Centre at the University of Southampton.

Vector beams can be beneficial in polarization-sensitive applications. For example, a radially polarized beam is more efficient at drilling and cutting high-aspect-ratio features in metals. Vector beams are also applicable in optical tweezers, laser micromachining, STED microscopy and two-photon-excitation fluorescence microscopy.

Standard S-waveplate models are available for 343 nm, 354 nm, 488 nm, 515 nm, 532 nm, 632 nm, 800 nm, 1030 nm, 1064 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths (with custom wavelengths available on request). Dielectric anti-reflection coatings can be applied on both converter sides.

• Material: UVFS, IRFS
• Substrate dimensions: Ø25.4 x 3 mm
• Surface quality, S-D: 20-10
• Surface flatness, P-V: <λ/8 @ 632.8 nm
• Clear aperture: Ø2 – Ø15 mm
• Wavelength options: 343 nm – 3 µm

4. Achromatic (Broadband) Waveplates

Achromatic (broadband) waveplates (AWP) are pair of crystalline quartz and magnesium fluoride plates of controlled thickness with crossed fast axes to create a λ/2 or λ/4 delay in the broad wavelength range. The difference in dispersion between materials allows the arrangement of a slow phase shift over a broad wavelength range.

Achromatic waveplates are needed for various devices, such as tunable laser sources, multiple laser line systems, and other broad-spectrum sources. Achromatic (Broadband) waveplates could be used to replace a number of single-wavelength quartz waveplates, making your system more convenient and easier to use.

• Material: Crystalline Quartz + MgF₂
• Surface quality, S-D: 20/10*
• Transmitted wavefront distortion, P-V: <λ/8 @ 632.8 nm*
• Retardation tolerance @ 20°C: ±λ/100
• Clear aperture: Ø5 – 76.2 mm
• AR coatings: Ravg<0.75% on each surface
• LIDT: >5 J/cm² @ 1064 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz
• Mounting: Black anodized metal

STH Series Waveplates

1. Low Order Waveplates

Low (multiple) order waveplate is designed to give a retardance of several full waves, plus the desired fraction. This result in a single, physically robust component with desired performance. However, even small changed in wavelength or temperature will result in significant changes in the desired fractional retardance. They are less expensive and find use in many applications where the increased sensitivities are not an important.

Standard Wavelength:

355nm, 532nm, 632.8nnm, 780nm, 808nm, 850nnm, 980nm, 1064nm, 1310nm, 1480nm, 1550nm

Ordering Information

2. Zero Order Waveplates

The zero order waveplate is designed to give a retardance of zero full waves, plus the desired fraction. Zero order waveplate shows better performance than multiple order waveplates. It has broad bandwidth and a lower sensitivity to temperature and wavelength changes. It should be considered for more critical applications.

Standard Wavelength：

355nm, 532nm, 632.8nnm, 780nm, 808nm, 850nnm, 980nm, 1064nm, 1310nm, 1480nm, 1550nm

2.1 Zero Order Waveplates-Optically Contacted

This type of zero order waveplate is constructed of two low order waveplate with their axes crossed. Thus, the effect of the first plate is cancelled by the second, except for the residual difference between them.

• Optically contacted
• AR coated, R<0.2%
• High damage threshold
• Better temperature band width
• Wide wavelength bandwidth

2.2 Zero Order Waveplates - Cemented by Epoxy

This type of zero order waveplate is constructed of two low order waveplate with their axes crossed. Thus, the effect of the first plate is cancelled by the second, except for the residual difference between them.

• Cemented by epoxy
• AR coated, R<0.2%
• Better temperature band width
• Wide wavelength bandwidth

2.3 Zero Order Waveplate - Air Spaced

• Air spaced
• Double retardation plates
• AR coated, R<0.2%
• High damage threshold
• Better temperature band width
• Wide wavelength bandwidth

3. True Zero Order Waveplates

3.1 True Zero Order Waveplate-Single Plate

This type of zero order waveplate is designed for high damage threshold applications (more than 1GW/cm2). As the plate is very thin, it's easy to break during operation.

• Wide angle acceptance
• Better temperature bandwidth
• Wide wavelength bandwidth
• High damage threshold
• AR coated, R<0.2%
• Single plate

Standard Wavelength：

• 1/2：1310nm, 1480nm, 1550nm
• 1/4：980nm, 1064nm，1310nm, 1480nm, 1550nm

3.2 True Zero Order Waveplate – Cemented

This type of zero order waveplate is constructed of a true zero order waveplate and a BK7 substrate. As the waveplate is very thin and easy to be damaged, the Bk7 plate's function is to strengthen the waveplate.

• Standard thickness:1.1±0.2mm
• Cemented by epoxy
• Wide angle acceptance
• Better temperature bandwidth
• Wide wavelength bandwidth
• AR coated, R<0.2%

Standard wavelength:

532nm, 632.8nm, 780nm, 808nm，980nm, 1064nm，1310nm, 1480nm, 1550nm

4. Achromatic Waveplate

Achromatic waveplate is made from two different substrate materials such as crystal quartz and magnesium fluoride. For the single material waveplates the working wavelength is very limited because of the dispersion of the material. While two different kinds of material are used achromatic waveplate, the dispersions of the birefringence are also different. Hence such waveplate is not sensitive to the wavelength change.

Standard Wavelength：

460-650nm, 550-750nm, 650-1000nm, 900-2100nm

5. Dual Wavelength Waveplate

Dual wavelength waveplate is a multiple waveplate that provides a speciic retardance at two different wavelengths, it's particularly useful when used in conjunction with other polarization sensitive components to separate coaxial laser beams of different wavelength.

6. Polarization Rotator

Due to the rotation activity of natural quartz crystal, it also can be used as polarization rotators so that the plane of input linearly polarized beam will be rotated at special angle which is determined by the thickness of quartz crystal.

• Made of quartz, 200-2500nm
• Up to 50.8mm diameter
• Custom rotation angle available
• RoHS Compliant